novoulmi

Novoulmi is a genus of extinct flowering plants that lived during the Early Cretaceous period. Fossils of Novoulmi have been discovered in the Yixian Formation of northeastern China, a geological site renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved fossil flora and fauna. The plant is known from several fossil specimens, primarily leaf impressions, which provide important clues about its morphology and ecological role.

The leaves of Novoulmi are typically ovate to lanceolate, with a serrated margin and a pinnate venation pattern. The overall structure suggests it was a woody shrub or a small tree. Its presence in the Yixian Formation indicates it was part of a diverse ecosystem that included conifers, ferns, and other flowering plants, as well as a variety of animals.

The discovery of Novoulmi contributes to our understanding of the early evolution of angiosperms, or flowering plants. By studying these ancient specimens, paleontologists can trace the lineage of modern plant groups and learn about the environmental conditions of the Cretaceous. The precise phylogenetic placement of Novoulmi within the angiosperm tree of life is still a subject of ongoing research, but its fossils offer valuable data points for reconstructing the evolutionary history of flowering plants.